The Pirates (3-11 overall, 1-9 league) led from start to finish in breaking its league record 94-game losing streak. Palisades' last league win came on Dec. 5, 2006, when it beat Pen Argyl 42-33.

It was appropriate that Noonan, a 6-foot-2 center, and Sharo, a 5-4 guard, led the team since both three-year starters have played more games than any other current player on the team.

"This is amazing. It feels really good," said Sharo, a main participant in a 1-2-1-1 press the Pirates used almost the entire game. "This took a lot of commitment and a lot of hard work and it paid off. We are very devoted to each other and the coaches."

Four different players scored baskets - Megan McClintock, Kate Salva, Sharo and Noonan - in the third quarter when Palisades opened up a commanding 29-10 lead.

"I'm so proud of all the kids," second-year coach Dean Reiman said. "We practice as a team and we do everything as a team. I'm so proud they all got a chance to play, every kid on the roster. We had a freshman (Celia LaPorta) on the team lose her grandmother this week and as a tribute to her she was able to play."

Palisades only has two seniors on its roster, Amberli D'Emilio and Kirby Funt, and both are three-year varsity players.

"We earned it," said D'Emilio, who scored the first two baskets of the second quarter to give the Pirates an 11-4 lead. "I'm thrilled. It's about time. Coming out before the game we thought this was going to be the night."

"This is the start of Palisades getting their respect back," Funt said. "I think it's the beginning of some great things. We prepared for this game all week and we stayed tough the entire game and focused and that was the key."

Catasauqua (0-15, 0-10) was playing its third game in three nights. The game was originally scheduled for tonight, but was moved up so the boys and girls played on different nights according to the Rough Riders scorekeeper.

"Our pressure on defense was the difference and we never backed away from it," Reiman said. "We made a lot of young mistakes but we're a young team so that's gonna happen. I don't know anything else to feel but pride right now."

The Pirates were low key on the court immediately after the game. The team saved its loudest cheer for when the three players that were interviewed entered the locker room. Reiman ended his postgame speech by telling them they had the next day off from practice and that elicited another loud roar.

"I think it's the first day we've given them off since I've been here," Reiman said.